Concerning the play, B.F.E., I enjoyed the production overall. The talent, stage directions, dialogue, and music choice behooved the experience of the production. In this critique I will provide my opinion as well as my interpretation of various aspects of the play, including music, lighting, dialogue, interaction between characters, as well as directing choices. I will couple my interpretation and critique of the screenplay as well as the production, to better my articulation in my critique. As a whole, I enjoyed the dialogue of the play, as well as how the actors conveyed the complex emotions present within the written script. The play was essentially about a young woman who is coming into her own. As an Asian-American she is bombarded with images of an ideal American beauty, an image that she herself feels that she does not live up to. The insecurity and vulnerability that Connie Lee exhibited in her portrayal of Panny I felt was really well-done. Her countenance and how she carried herself with a frumpy, head-down look, as well as her wardrobe, which consisted of frumpy, baggy clothes, was more than effective in conveying her experience and insecurity in being a woman of color in the United States. How Connie had talked and gesticulated added to her credibility as it convinced me and the audience that she was indeed a young, and very impressionable young woman. In many respects, and although this may or may not be relevant, it reminded me of myself in my adolescence. Especially and particularly as a young woman of color being underrepresented and overlooked by the media can weight heavy on the psyche and the self-esteem of a youth. Because I myself could so readily connect with the character of Panny I knew that it was a testament to the direction, dialogue, and acting which catered to my experience of the play as a whole. Moreover concerning the portrayal of Panny, a touch that I considered to be well executed was when she was talking to Hugo. There was a point in the conversation where he asks Panny why she always makes her statements sound like a question. I did not recall reading that from the play so I was unsure of whether or not I may have overlooked it, but if I didn’t and that was added, it was a great addition to the dialogue. Regardless, it clued the audience in on the quirks and tendencies that Panny has that illustrate and show off her deep insecurity and uncertainty of herself. Concerning the other actors, I felt that it was a job well done for the most part. Rachel, who played Evvie, portrayed her well; I very much enjoyed the dynamic that she and Lefty had. I must admit that I was a bit hesitant as to how young adults could portray the two characters in their forties, but I must say that they succeeded. I could sense the vulnerability that each other possessed when they were around one another, and when they began to open up to the other. I could also sense the longing for self-independence and liberty, as each of them had always been tethered to their family their own lives. That yearn for freedom was evident in the both of the characters, and was wonderful to watch. The character of Elizabeth was enjoyable to observe as well, as her vivacity and naivety concerning American life was apparent through the screen. She was the foil, or so it seems, of the character of Panny. Elizabeth, as an Asian within an Asian country, cannot empathize with the turmoil that Panny feels. Because the standard of beauty in Elizabeth’s country revolves around the image of individuals that she can more likely see herself in, she does not question her self worth. Elizabeth’s assumptions about Panny further exacerbates Panny’s insecurities as Panny is aware that the archetype of a typical American, or at least a beautiful, attractive American, is a skinny, white, blonde. Elizabeth has idolized and crafted an image of American life that contrasts dramatically with the America that Panny inhabits. Panny is quite disillusioned with the institution of American beauty, yet at the same time she is plagued by the thought that she does not live up to the ideal beauty.This provides a level of complexity as she rejects and yet simultaneously accepts and strives for this idea of American beauty. Regarding the music as well as the direction of the play, there were certain moments within the production that resonated with me. One particular scene that music played a vital part of in my opinion was the scene where Evvie and Lefty had their first heart to heart, when they were discussing the fact that they had not had sexual relations in years. I enjoyed the music that played, I believe it was Gymnopédie No.1 that played; in that moment lied a defining moment of vulnerability and honesty. In my opinion is was one of the most sentimental and touching moments of the play. Music is a huge factor in productions, and choosing the right song can completely change the tone and the nature of a moment, regardless of how well the scene was acted, or directed, or staged. Moreover, a directing choice that I appreciated immensely was the way in which the span and evolution of Hugo and Panny’s relationship was illustrated. When they initially began talking, Hugo and Panny would talk, and Hugo would be on stage as well, however , he would almost be at the opposite end of place where Panny was. As the play progressed, and as the characters began opening up to one another more, the characters of Hugo and Panny would slowly gain ground until they were right beside one another as the conversed, indicating that their relationship had indeed blossomed. When visualizing this play as I read it, I had not considered that there are visual ways to illustrate the notion of amity, or closeness. Seeing this, and how clever it was, expanded my imagination on how I could illustrate abstract concepts so that the audience can further gain a deeper sense of the play. Concerning lighting, the dimness of the set after the man had abducted Panny was naturally, a nice touch. It aided in the aura of uneasiness and disquietude, and genuine horror, that the play possessed. Not knowing what would come of Panny, as her shadowy opening narrative suggests, placed the audience at the edge of their seats. Concerning elements of the play that I felt could be improved, there were very few. One directing element that initially confused me, and a few members of the audience that I was with, was the act of Panny going on the balcony to read letters sent by her pen pal. I wasn’t able to determine whether or not there was any significance of her reading them on the balcony, or if it was a mere stylistic choice. Moreover, at times I felt that the character of Panny could be a bit too whiny and redundant; at times her demeanor became tiresome to watch. Moreover, I felt that the character of Isabel, did not convey her agoraphobia as well as I would have liked. Of course, the dialogue and actions demanded she stay in the house, which clued the audience in on her possible condition. However, with agoraphobia comes the element of anxiety, which I did not get from the portrayal of Isabel’s character. It was as if she stayed inside, but I didn't get the sense that she was indeed terrified of going outside in any way. Overall, I greatly enjoyed the play, the direction, production elements such as music, and lighting, really crafted a great story, and exhibited the narrative of a young adolescent girl reckoning with her own insecurities.
As a whole, I enjoyed the dialogue of the play, as well as how the actors conveyed the complex emotions present within the written script. The play was essentially about a young woman who is coming into her own. As an Asian-American she is bombarded with images of an ideal American beauty, an image that she herself feels that she does not live up to. The insecurity and vulnerability that Connie Lee exhibited in her portrayal of Panny I felt was really well-done. Her countenance and how she carried herself with a frumpy, head-down look, as well as her wardrobe, which consisted of frumpy, baggy clothes, was more than effective in conveying her experience and insecurity in being a woman of color in the United States. How Connie had talked and gesticulated added to her credibility as it convinced me and the audience that she was indeed a young, and very impressionable young woman. In many respects, and although this may or may not be relevant, it reminded me of myself in my adolescence. Especially and particularly as a young woman of color being underrepresented and overlooked by the media can weight heavy on the psyche and the self-esteem of a youth. Because I myself could so readily connect with the character of Panny I knew that it was a testament to the direction, dialogue, and acting which catered to my experience of the play as a whole. Moreover concerning the portrayal of Panny, a touch that I considered to be well executed was when she was talking to Hugo. There was a point in the conversation where he asks Panny why she always makes her statements sound like a question. I did not recall reading that from the play so I was unsure of whether or not I may have overlooked it, but if I didn’t and that was added, it was a great addition to the dialogue. Regardless, it clued the audience in on the quirks and tendencies that Panny has that illustrate and show off her deep insecurity and uncertainty of herself. Concerning the other actors, I felt that it was a job well done for the most part. Rachel, who played Evvie, portrayed her well; I very much enjoyed the dynamic that she and Lefty had. I must admit that I was a bit hesitant as to how young adults could portray the two characters in their forties, but I must say that they succeeded. I could sense the vulnerability that each other possessed when they were around one another, and when they began to open up to the other. I could also sense the longing for self-independence and liberty, as each of them had always been tethered to their family their own lives. That yearn for freedom was evident in the both of the characters, and was wonderful to watch. The character of Elizabeth was enjoyable to observe as well, as her vivacity and naivety concerning American life was apparent through the screen. She was the foil, or so it seems, of the character of Panny. Elizabeth, as an Asian within an Asian country, cannot empathize with the turmoil that Panny feels. Because the standard of beauty in Elizabeth’s country revolves around the image of individuals that she can more likely see herself in, she does not question her self worth. Elizabeth’s assumptions about Panny further exacerbates Panny’s insecurities as Panny is aware that the archetype of a typical American, or at least a beautiful, attractive American, is a skinny, white, blonde. Elizabeth has idolized and crafted an image of American life that contrasts dramatically with the America that Panny inhabits. Panny is quite disillusioned with the institution of American beauty, yet at the same time she is plagued by the thought that she does not live up to the ideal beauty.This provides a level of complexity as she rejects and yet simultaneously accepts and strives for this idea of American beauty.
Regarding the music as well as the direction of the play, there were certain moments within the production that resonated with me. One particular scene that music played a vital part of in my opinion was the scene where Evvie and Lefty had their first heart to heart, when they were discussing the fact that they had not had sexual relations in years. I enjoyed the music that played, I believe it was Gymnopédie No.1 that played; in that moment lied a defining moment of vulnerability and honesty. In my opinion is was one of the most sentimental and touching moments of the play. Music is a huge factor in productions, and choosing the right song can completely change the tone and the nature of a moment, regardless of how well the scene was acted, or directed, or staged. Moreover, a directing choice that I appreciated immensely was the way in which the span and evolution of Hugo and Panny’s relationship was illustrated. When they initially began talking, Hugo and Panny would talk, and Hugo would be on stage as well, however , he would almost be at the opposite end of place where Panny was. As the play progressed, and as the characters began opening up to one another more, the characters of Hugo and Panny would slowly gain ground until they were right beside one another as the conversed, indicating that their relationship had indeed blossomed. When visualizing this play as I read it, I had not considered that there are visual ways to illustrate the notion of amity, or closeness. Seeing this, and how clever it was, expanded my imagination on how I could illustrate abstract concepts so that the audience can further gain a deeper sense of the play. Concerning lighting, the dimness of the set after the man had abducted Panny was naturally, a nice touch. It aided in the aura of uneasiness and disquietude, and genuine horror, that the play possessed. Not knowing what would come of Panny, as her shadowy opening narrative suggests, placed the audience at the edge of their seats.
Concerning elements of the play that I felt could be improved, there were very few. One directing element that initially confused me, and a few members of the audience that I was with, was the act of Panny going on the balcony to read letters sent by her pen pal. I wasn’t able to determine whether or not there was any significance of her reading them on the balcony, or if it was a mere stylistic choice. Moreover, at times I felt that the character of Panny could be a bit too whiny and redundant; at times her demeanor became tiresome to watch. Moreover, I felt that the character of Isabel, did not convey her agoraphobia as well as I would have liked. Of course, the dialogue and actions demanded she stay in the house, which clued the audience in on her possible condition. However, with agoraphobia comes the element of anxiety, which I did not get from the portrayal of Isabel’s character. It was as if she stayed inside, but I didn't get the sense that she was indeed terrified of going outside in any way.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed the play, the direction, production elements such as music, and lighting, really crafted a great story, and exhibited the narrative of a young adolescent girl reckoning with her own insecurities.